The Checklist Manifesto

How to Get Things Right

By: Atul Gawande

Narrated by: John Bedford Lloyd

Length: 6 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's summary

The New York Times best-selling author of Being Mortal and Complications reveals the surprising power of the ordinary checklist.

We live in a world of great and increasing complexity, where even the most expert professionals struggle to master the tasks they face. Longer training, ever more advanced technologies - neither seems to prevent grievous errors. But in a hopeful turn, acclaimed surgeon and writer Atul Gawande finds a remedy in the humblest and simplest of techniques: the checklist. First introduced decades ago by the US Air Force, checklists have enabled pilots to fly aircraft of mind-boggling sophistication. Now innovative checklists are being adopted in hospitals around the world, helping doctors and nurses respond to everything from flu epidemics to avalanches. Even in the immensely complex world of surgery, a simple 90-second variant has cut the rate of fatalities by more than a third.

In riveting stories, Gawande takes us from Austria, where an emergency checklist saved a drowning victim who had spent half an hour underwater, to Michigan, where a cleanliness checklist in intensive care units virtually eliminated a type of deadly hospital infection. He explains how checklists actually work to prompt striking and immediate improvements. And he follows the checklist revolution into fields well beyond medicine, from homeland security to investment banking, skyscraper construction, and businesses of all kinds.

An intellectual adventure in which lives are lost and saved and one simple idea makes a tremendous difference, The Checklist Manifesto is essential listening for anyone working to get things right.

©2009 Atul Gawande (P)2009 Macmillan Audio

I Could Not Stop Listening

Who could have thought a book about checklists could be so fascinating. This is one of the best books I’ve gone through in years. I highly recommend this audiobook.

Wow… timeless piece

I can’t believe I discovered this book in 2022. Thank you CPT Wiseman for recommending this treasure!

Solid and simple concept

The book could be a page long but the examples and stories do help support the pitch and drive home the core content.

Here is why checklists are important

I was asked to read this book before a job interview which I did. I learned why the Marines taught us to use checklists for everything. To this day I still use checklists whether it's home repair of preparing then returning from a vacation. Yes, a checklist will ensure you return from a vacation with all you took as well as enjoy yourself. If you want to learn why checklists are important as well as how to use them then this book is for you. It will help you in all area's of your life!

You'll get (almost) everything right; here's how!

Wow, this is a fascinating book that everyone should read /listen to. In an age of self help gurus, books with catchy titles and complicated "systems" to help you achieve success and order, this book will change how you approach /execute everything. It's simple, and Becuase it's simple, don't take it for granted. It instantly worked for me and works for everyone else who has implemented it. Stop what you're doing or take a break from what you're reading; now READ/LISTEN and IMPLEMENT The Checklist Manifesto! It will improve all areas of your life in an instant.

Useful information

This book does a good job of summarizing examples and cases of where developing checklists and procedures were the difference between life and death. Given the author's background, most examples are from the field of medicine - sometimes in all-too-graphic detail - but others come from aviation and other industries. Hopefully it gets its readers and listeners to think differently when tackling both everyday and challenging situations.

Powerful idea behind a simple checklist

Great examples combined with practical ideas on implementing. I've been developing checklists for my team and this is just what I needed to improve them

cool stories but not very actionable

various examples of checklists being used in the medical and flight industries, but not a lot of action steps to apply to my business. Still though, I am now much more inclined to use checklists wherever possible.

This book makes me think - #Ilovethat

This is a thinking book. It's a thoroughly entertaining listen/ read. His stories fascinate me and make me think. It's easy to stay engaged and not wander while listening.

Extremely important book

The title makes the content seem mundane, but the book is very good, the author is interesting and the content will change any serious Professional's life.